TE AWAMUTU POLITICAL MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1116, 19 August 1879, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU POLITICAL MEETING.

In accordance with the advertisements which appeared m last week's issues of this paper, the electors of Waipa a ssembled at tho Public Hall, Te Awamutu, on Saturday last, to hear Mr McMinn, late Representative of that constituency. A very large number of electors were present. Mr William Macky, of Paterangi, was voted to the chair, and explained to the meeting that his taking the chair did not m any way imply that he indorsed or approved of Mr McMinn' s conduct m the House of Representatives. Howevei\he would ask the electors present to give Mr McMinn a fair hearing, and accord him a fair judgment. MR MoMTNN. Mr McMinn then rose, and said, I hope, gentlemen, you will hear me fairly and impartially, while I explain my conduct m the House of Representatives, this Session. I only arrived m Auckland las'; Monday, when I heard that McMinn was goiug to be hung, when he got back to Te Awamutu, and my answer to that was, immediately to wire an advertisement to the Waikato Times, inviting the electors to meet me here, to-day. I should have advertised the meeting on Saturday, to explain my conduct ; but, the fact is, the House was sitting on that day, and since then we passed a bill, and not wishing to leave Wellington till all the business was concluded. I thought another week would make no difference, and the notice of meeting would have been too short. I had decided to call a meeting as soon as I got back here, because I had received a number of telegrams from electors of Waipa, urging me to support Sir George Grey. I received eight or nine m one day. So I called this meeting, which I could not well have called earlier than to-day. It is three or four months since I was before you, and addressed you, and, as I may not have the chance of doing so again, I shall take this opportunity of vindicating myself to you, but, I will condense any remarks as much as possible. When you sent me to the House, I promised to support the present Government, to the nest of my ability. At a meeting m this room, I was asked, by Mr ! Cunningham, how far I would support Sir George Grey? I said that, I would support him as far as an honourable man could.

Mr Cunningham, here got up and said, that Mr McMinn had pledged himself to Sir George Grey. Mr McMinn, resumed : I refer to the meeting at Te Awamutu. Ido not refer to any private conversation. I distinctly said, I would support Sir George Grey, as far as any honourable man could. Ipledged myself to support the Government then m office, and I have endeavoured to keej> my pledge, to tho best of my ability. Since then, however, two Members have left the Government: the Colonial Treasurer, whom I regard as the mainstay of the Cabinet, and the Attorney- General. >ir George Grey has now taken the office of Colonial Trea^uro;*, and I do not think he can receive tho confidence qf the country m that capacity ; that is one of the reasons why I did not support him. You all know that, m the House, there are supposed to be two parties. The party to which the present Government belong, js called tho Liberal party, and they designate the ofche}? as the Conservative party. The latter party are accused of trying to set up an aristocracy m the country, and wishing to govern by aristocratic principles, but I believe that there are as liberal men m that party, as m the other, Here, I will give you a few words of warning i be yery carpf ul how you listen to those who are trying to set class against class • those who are trying to hound the poor man against the rich man, telling working men, that the rich avo trying to rob the poor of their rights. I bielieyo ttyafc tho majority of the late .j members of the House are m favour of impaj?tiajl legislation. That the rights and interests of the 'working classes are as sacred to them as those of tho rich. Why, we are all working men. I am a \yprkij!g man, myself, and avo do not find that any of tl;e. rich are houndiug us clown, and trying' to i<ob us of our rights. It has been said? that if Sir Qeqrjje Q-roy does not load the party, who, can be got to do it, among the Auckland M'unbeiv. I believe there are men of ability aniona" them, who would take the leadership. J. know of one whose experience m tho House, and cbilit*.-, qualify him for the

post. I refer to Mr Swanson. He is ono ' m whom confidence could be reposed. I ln the Governor's Address, reference

was made to a Native Lands Bill, tho chief feature of -which is, that tho lands are to be put up by auction. Now, m tho debate on tho a ddress m Reply, it came out that J-ir George Grey wanted the Government to resume the right of preemption over native lands. This right of pre-emption, which was granted by tho Treaty of Wiitangi, was abolished some time ago. Now, I believe, that were the right resumed, it would cause endless native troubles, and might lead to a war m this country. It would be fraught with great evil. The present state of affairs on the West Coast, has arisen out of something of this kind. Sir George Grey is always saying ho would bring m a bill to abolish the Legislative Council, and within the last twenty months he' has created no less than nine new members. This means a cost of £2,500 a year to the colony, and when lie is always talking about the expense the Legislative' Council is to the colony, and that lie wishws it done away with, it looks very much like inconsistency. When tho bill to amend the law, relating to qualifications of electors was brought before the House last session, it. provided for the Maoris to vote at the election of European members, as well as for their own representatives. This was called the Maori dual vote. Now as I considered that the Maoris were only about half represented, at first I voted for the bill, as I thought this dual vote Avould oompetisate them for the inequality. But when I found that the Land Tax Bill imposed a tax on all lands held by Europeans over £500 value, even on the Canterbury runholders, who merely hold tho land as occupiers, and can be turned off at immediate notice if the land is purchased, and they get no compensation for improvements, When, I say, I found these runs were taxed, and that Maoris, even those who held land under Crown title, were exempt from the taxation, I did not consider it right that the Maoris should have a dual vote. But Sir George Grey insisted on this dual vote, anaf when ho found that the bill would not pass unless the dual vote were struck out he suddenly withdrew the Bill. Sir George Grey had stated that 65,000 men would have a right to vote if tho Bill passed. Now we must go to the country with a dissolution knowing that 65,000 (I don't believe there are so many,' Sir George Grey says there are), are disfranchised. During last' Session, Members for Southern Constituencies were always crying out for a re-distribu-tion of seats, and then a dissolution, but the Government took no action Dr Wallis introduced a Bill providing for Triennial Parliaments. This would make members more careful to attend to the wishes of his constituents as they wonld come oftener before them. If the Government had earnestly supported this bill, and made it a Government measure, it would have easily passed, but they did not do so, and it fell through. Sir George Grey wishes to bring m a Bill to do away with plurality of voting for members of all local bodies which receive subsidies from the Government. In electing a .member for the House of Representatives electors can but exercise one vote, but m the election of Road Boards and County Councils, electors can exercise more votes than one, . up to six, according to the amount of rates paid by them. Now I think this is fair. The man who pay £20 or £oQ a year rates should have more votes than the one who pays only £1 . This is of course when voting for the expenditure of money. But it is said that Sir George Grey wants to do away with plurality of voting, m order to find an excuse for doing away with the subsidies to the Road. Board. Now I think that these subsidies are very useful, and that if they were done away with some Road Boards would have to put up their shutters altogether. Now I will speak of the Thames Railway. A sum of money, £30,000 was voted last session for a railway from Hamilton to Te Aroha. Tho maps, however, were afterwards altered for the railway right into Grahamstown. Now, T believe we ought to have a railway from Hamilton to Grahamstown, but the Government should have taken a vote for it, instead of spending money for a work not authorised by Parliament. Something of the same kind was done m Otago. This was what was called the Tapanui job. Lmd had been set apart, by resolution of the House, for this railway, but it had not been authorised by the House. Mr Macandrew had said that he wished there were fifty more Tapanui j< bs m the colony. But this Thames Railway was an illegal act, ■ and does not reflest credit on the Government. Then the Piako Swamp business was brought up.< It was stated that a. member of the late Government had bought some land for £5,000, and that now it was worth £100,000, but nothing was said about the £100,000 spent upon the land to make it worth that. During the last session a motion was brought into try and get the next session held at Christchurch. Had it been passed the seat of Government would very probably have been removed, and it would have cost something: like £50,000 or 6100,000 to remove it. I will tell you that the North had better never try to remove the seat of Government to Auckland, for if it is once removed, it will go South. That Bay of Islands Electoral Roll business did not reflect credit on the Government. Of course you Avill have seen by the papers that Mr Bryce was appointed to examine into the charges of stuffing the Bay of Islands electoral roll. It was found that it contained 373 names, which had not the slightest be?iness thr re. On this matter, Mr Bryco remarked that the Government could not be guilty of the depth of iniquity imputed to it. Yot, though Sir George Grey had been repeatedly urged to take steps to purge tho roll, it has not been done, and a member will be elected for the Bay of Islands on a roll on which there are 373 names which have no right to be thero When the motion of Want of Confidence was, to bo put, the Qovemmont knew they would be beaten by a majority of six. The Opposition calculated on a majority of fourteen, but the majority obtained was over sixtefeu. Noav, I could very well have walked into the lobby wilh the Government party, as I would have made no difference, and thus have saved my bacon, ag the saying is. Iji|t it was thought that the. Opposition would, only be able to hold office for a few weeks, and then would have followed a re-con-struction of the old party. This was ono of the reasons why I did , not join the Opposition, But the i principle one was m deference to tho expres led wish of my constituents, as I knew many of them wished me to support tlie Government. When it 'was understood that tho Governor had granted a dissolution, several memoranda passed between Sir George Grey and Sir Williap} "Pox. The Governqr sqnt dqwn a memorandum, stipulating certain conditions on which he would grant a, dissolution, and Sir George Grey was charged to deliver it to the House, m the Governor's own words. This would seem very significant. It was thought, by some, that Sir George Grey would try to delay the dissolution as long as possible, so that he might have time, tq stnnyp the country. Sir George Grey bronjrht down three bills to be. passed, boforo the dissolution : tho Chinese Immigration Bill, Electoral Bill, and a Bill for tho rc-di^ti'ibu,tipn. of seats. Now, the first

of these bills would have caused a month's discussion, and Sir George Grey had promised not to bring forward any bill which would cause party debate. However, he was compelled to withdraw them. I don't want to say anything against ,-ir George Grey. In private life, he is as nice a gentleman to speak to as possible, but what can I think of him when, m the House, ho will point to some Canterbury Members, gentlemen whom I believe are as honorable as any m tho House, and say, "those are the men who are robbing tho country." I have supported Sir George Grey, as far as un honorable man could, and a little further, but, on this occasion, I acted according to my conscience.

Mr Sloane asked Mr McMinn, if he had supported Sir George Grey, as far as any honorable man could, and a little further, all those who still nipported him, were dishonorable men, according to Mr McMinn."

Mr McMinn: I do not refer to any other members, or reflect upon them. I acted according to my lights. Different men have different lights, and an honorable man may follow a course totally different from another quite as honorable.

Mr Sloane : Do you know that, when you refused to vote ou the Want of Confidence Motion, you disfranchised this constituency? We were represented by no one, on that occasion.

Mr McMinn- This constituency has ncvoi' been disfranchised by me. I might, certainly, have joined the Opposition for the time being, but for the telegrams I had received, urging me to support Sir George Grey.

Mr Sloano : But you did disfranchise the constituency, by refusing to vote.

Mr McMinn: If I did so, how often must Sir George Grey do it ; on several occasions when a division was cailed for, he has taken his hat and walked out, and returned as soon as the division was over.

A Voice; You left the ship just as it was sinking.

Mr Sloane then moved, " That m the opinion of this meeting, Mr E. G. McMinn, our lato representative should receive a vote of censure for his outrageous political conduct m the House on the occasion of the want of confidence motion, m deserting" the Liberal party, the determined foe of the Canterbury land cormorants, and foul-mouthed detractors of the genus Hobbs."

The motion was duly seconded. Mr Germann said that such a motion would be a disgrace to any constituency. He would then move as an amendment, a vote of thanks for his satisfactory explanation. He then referred to several political matters, and said that he know Mr McMinn had done all he could for- the constituency. He had had repeated correspondence with him, and he was sure he had done all he could.

Mr Rutherford seconded the amendment. He thought Mr Sloane's motion went too far.

Some further irregular discussion ensued.

Mr Roche said he would move a further amendment, "That while this meeting regrets Mr McMinn' s conduct m deserting the Government, a vote of thanks be accorded to him for his address this afternoon.

The Chairman ruled that the amendment was the same as Mr Sloane's motion, and could not be received. The motion and the amendment went before tho meeting amounted to a vote of confidence or no confidence, he would put the amendment first.

Ten hands -were held up for it, and amid some confusion twelve for the motion. The motion the Chairman ruled was carried. A division was called for, but refused. MR ROCHE. Thc'Chairman here stated that he had bsen requested to keep the chair, while Mr Roche addressed the meeting. Mr Roche said : It is not the first time that I have come before you for political honors I formerly represented you m the Provincial Council. I now aspire to higher honors. I am, and always have been, a supporter of the present Government, and if you return me as your representative, I shall support it still. Its policy, as set forth m the Governor's Address, is a good policy — a policy that has even been applauded by the Opposition. The principle points are : A Property and Income Tax, Triennial Parliaments, Native Lands to be sold by auction. lam m favor of a Property Tax. I think that absentees, holding property m the colony, should pay something towards its revenue. Those who are receiving large salaries as bank clerks and civil servants should also pay a tax. I am m favor of Manhood Suffrage to a certain degree. *» man with a twelve months' residential qualification and a good character, and his name upon the electoral roll, should have a vote. I do not believe m giving every man a vote, no matter what his qualification. But I think that every man who has a good character, and has resided twelve months m the colony, should have a vote, if his name has been entered npon an electoral roll. I believe m Triennial Parliaments I bel'eve they will lead to sound legislature. "Five years is too long to elect a man for. He will bo more careful to retain the confidence of his constituents, if elected for three years than if for five. With regard to Native Lands They should be sold by public auction. The natives would get better prices for their land, and would be more satisfied if , this was done. They should be put up m ' blocks of from fifty to five hundred acres, to suit settlers and others, who have £300 or £400 to spend, to purchase. Ibelievcthat numbers of young men have left the country because they have not beon able to purchase land m a small quantity at a reasonable price. This putting up Native Lands to public auction would prevent capitalists buying the eyes out of the country. They pick the best bits of land, and buy them up I believe m the Native Policy of the present Government. The late Maori meeting has been called a failure. Ido not believe it was a failure. I think it was a success. Look how. Re\y_ has fc,eon brought r.qun&. %$ favoi "Europeans. It will guarantee a lasting peace to the country. If you think fit to return me, as your representative, I shall work m unison with the Auckland Members, and try and get justice done to the provincial district. We will try and bury all local jealousies, and work' for the^goqcl of this, part of the. country m parti qular., and the Colony m general- I will support Sir Ge.Qr.ge Grey's Government, b,ut I will not blindly foliar any man, as man is tint mortal. |

Mr Duffus asked "now fta?. he would support Sir George Grey ? Mr Rqche said, that if he found it against his conscience to support him, he would, before voting against him, call a meeting, and get the opinion of the majority, of his constituents, and (:? he. found that they were opposed, to, his. "conduct, he "\£Ou}4 re.ssgn. ' Mr Duffus aske.d what he understood by a majority. Mr Roche said, he would call meetings at Tn Awamutu, Alexandra, Hamilton, and Ngaruawahia, and get the opinion of the majority. Ho would not take it from ono meeting. But he had not any intention of opposing Sir George Grey; l^u would support him. Several othei; questions, ot" minor importance, was asked, after which a vote of thank«, proponed by Mr Sloane, an,cl seconded by Mr McMinn, was carried tQ Mr Roche, for his address.

A vote of thanks was ajsQ jm^od to. the Chairman.